Will Andy Burnham return to parliament – and what would it mean for Keir Starmer?

Starmerites argue Burnham's return to Westminster would undermine the government, but he has the support of powerful party figures

When Lucy Powell, Labour's deputy leader and a close ally of Andy Burnham, took to the stage at the Fabian conference in London on Saturday, she had a blunt message for her party.

I want to make sure that we're putting out the best team on the pitch, week after week, so we can win those important matches," she told the audience.